Who’s Doing What: Michael Best shows love for the stage; von Briesen announces promotions

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Employees at the Madison office of Michael Best & Friedrich LLP did more than socialize at this year’s holiday party – they put on a show.

A group of attorneys and staff members debuted their performance of a “A Christmas Carol” at the firm’s annual holiday gathering recently. The five-part play received rave reviews from attendees, said Managing Partner Mary Turke.

“For me, the best part of the event was hearing so much laughter from my co-workers,” Turke said. “Laughter brings out the best in people and creates common ground. It’s satisfying to work in a law firm where, in addition to working hard for our clients, we genuinely enjoy working together and having some fun.”

• This year, employees at Axley Brynelson LLP, Madison, collected and donated loads of new toys and more than $1,000 in cash for the U.S. Marine Toys for Tots program.

Led by Axley attorney Paul Curtis, the firm collects toys and money each holiday season for the charity.  Many Axley employees also donate their time by helping the Marines distribute the donated toys to families in need.

• von Briesen & Roper SC, Milwaukee, announced the promotion of attorneys Kraig Byron, Steven Carlson, Kyle Gulya and Gottlieb Marmet to shareholders of the firm.

Byron is a member of the Litigation & Risk Management Practice Group and practices in the firm’s Madison office. He focuses on complex business litigation, labor and employment litigation, outdoor advertising law, family law issues, and general civil litigation. He earned his law degree, with honors, from the University of Wyoming College of Law in 1992.

Carlson is a member of the Litigation and Risk Management Practice Group and practices in the firm’s Milwaukee office. He focuses on toxic tort, product liability, medical malpractice and commercial disputes. He earned his law degree in 2004 from the University of Wisconsin Law School.

Gulya is a member of the Labor and Employment Law and School Law sections and practices in the firm’s Madison office. He assists both public and private sector clients with employment- and labor-related issues including regulatory compliance, antidiscrimination practices, contractual and workplace policy matters, and personnel management. He earned his law degree, cum laude, in 2004 from the University of Wisconsin Law School.

Marmet is a member of the Litigation and Risk Management Practice Group and practices in the firm’s Milwaukee office. He is a registered patent attorney and focuses his practice on intellectual property law, patent prosecution, litigation, product liability and toxic tort matters. Marmet is a former assistant district attorney and has tried both bench and jury trials. He earned his law degree in 2004 from the University of Wisconsin Law School.